Cross-country skiing : Einar Hedegart and Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo Olympic sprint team champions
A few minutes after Sweden’s victory in the women’s race, it was the turn of the cross-country skiers to compete in the highly spectacular team sprint skating format of the Milan/Cortina Olympic Games. Under the Italian sun, the scenario was repeated, with Norway winning in the end.
The big favourites of the day, Einar Hedegart and Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo were perfect. In a very nervous race with a compact peloton, they always stayed in the front positions, avoiding the jostling and broken sticks that plagued the French team, with two broken sticks for Mathis Desloges.
In his final relay run, former biathlete Einar Hedegart made a slight difference by handing over to King Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo with a few metres to spare.
“It was incredible. There was a lot of pressure. It’s always difficult for someone who’s with Johannes [Hoesflot Klæbo], because you know you’re only aiming for gold. [I got better as the day went on. My team-mate and the whole team encouraged me and helped me get rid of all the negativity,” Einar Hedegart told Eurosport.
In the final relay, the Norwegian set out to winhis fifth title at these Games in Milan/Cortina. Despite good resistance from the American Gus Schumacher, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo took off on the terrible last climb – the Zorzi – and was on his way to his tenth Olympic title.
“Pressure is what makes you a member of the Norwegian team […] Einar may have been a bit stressed in qualifying, but he freed himself up afterwards and did his part of the job. I told him to stay calm, concentrate on the plan and avoid problems in the peloton. He did that very well […] I’m going to recover for two days so that I have as much energy as possible on Saturday and can still aim for victory [in the 50km],” Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo told Eurosport.
Behind them, it was the Americans Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher who took silver after a splendid race. For the bronze medal, Federico Pellegrino – paired up with Elia Barp – put in a remarkable finish to beat the Swiss(Janik Riebli and Valerio Grond), who finished fourth. Great Britain’s Andrew Musgrave and James Clugnet also put in a fine race to complete the top 5.
On the other hand, Mathis Desloges and Jules Chappaz didn’t have the best of luck in the race. The Villardian took the lead on the very first lap, handing over to Le Cluse in second place. Unfortunately, during his second stint, Mathis Desloges saw one of his poles break, causing him to lose precious seconds and relegating him to last place.
On a track that was difficult to climb, the Blues were unable to get back to the front of the race. During the penultimate relay between JulesChappaz and Mathis Desloges, the Villardien once again saw one of his poles break. Jules Chappaz handed him his stick as a matter of urgency, but the damage was done: the gap was too big and they could do no better than a disappointing twelfth place.
Full results
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